The Delta independent., 1887-02-15
The Three Empires.

The recent and still continuing
troubles in Bulgaria once more call at
tention to the fact that peace or war
and the fate of the lesser European ma
tions depend on the mutual relations OF
the three great central empires.
In old times, Russia, Austria and
Germany Cor Prussia) were always al
ternately making alliances with each
other. and engaged in war. Their rival
ambitions brought them into frequent
conflict. and often caused two of them
to combine against the other.
In the last century Austria and Prus-
sia were at swords points, and bitter
and long were the contests between
them. Frederick the Great coveted
some of Austria's territory. and won
his fame fighting with Empress Maria
Theresa.
But the three empires have also some-
times Joined hands in common alli-
ance, when to do so was the interest of
all of them. They combined to divide
up unhappy Poland between them more
than hundred years ago, and they
combined again early in the present
century. to stem the conquests and the
illimitable ambition of the first Napo-
leon.
Later, Austria and Prussia came into
collision in 1866. while Russia watch
fully stood by, and the later result of
Prussia's victory at that time was the
revival of the German empire, with
Prussia at its head.
In recent years the relations of the
three great empires have been, at least
outwardly peaceful. Russia and Ger
many have been in close alliance, as a
result partly of the family relationship
between their rulers. but more because
their political interests and aims have
not clashed with each other. Germany
is not very greatly interested in the
eastern question, or in Russia's advance
in Asia. On the other hand, Russia
has no special reason to object to the
German attitude towards France.
Germany aims to be great and strong
as purely European empire, and to
hold the arbitership between the other
European states. Russia's ambition,
on the other hand, seems to be to be-
come the dominant power in the east.
In like manner, there has recently
been no obstacle to cordial friendship
between the two old time enemies and
rivals, Germany Tor Prussia) and Aus
tria. They were once bitterly hostile,
because each wished to be the controll-
ing power among the German people.
The history of Prussia in 1866 put an
end to this rivalry. by depriving Austria
of all power and influence in the Ger
man confederation; and Austria has
since accepted the result,
A close alliance, therefore, has ex-
listed for some years between these two
central empires; and it may be regard
ed as certain that this alliance has been
the cause of the peace of the world
having been SO long preserved.
The relations between Russia and 4
Austria. on the other hand, are less
firm and constant in their friendly
nature. They have been in alliance, it
is true, but the danger of a war be-
tween them has more than once arisenl
in recent years. They were formerly
firm allies; but more recently they
have regarded each other with suspicion
and distrust.
Their ambitions, unlike those of
Germany and Austria, are not wholly
reconcilable. Both Austria and Russia
have deep interest in the fate of the
states-Bulgaria, Romelia. Servia,
Bosnia-which were once under the
sultan's rule; and in the control of the
mouths Of the river Danube. Each
desires seaports in southeastern
Europe; and seek to control the desti-
nies of the southeastern peoples.
1t is not unlikely that war might
have broken out between Russia and
Austria before this, had it not been for
the mediatory action of Germany. It
is Germany who keeps them in appar-
ent peace and harmony.
In general it may BIZ fairly said. that
as long as the three empires remain in
accord. and maintain the triple alliance
which now binds them, peace will con-
tinue in Europe. But should dissen-
sions rise between the three empires,
or any two of them, the peace of
Europe would probably very soon
give place to terrible war. Youths
Companion.